At Blue Aran, we’ve spent years designing, testing, and supplying loudspeaker components and systems for every corner of the pro audio world — from small gig rigs to large touring setups. Our latest project for the JAM Systems range takes everything we’ve learned and distills it into a new high-performance 18″ subwoofer cabinet, built for real-world use.
This post takes you behind the scenes of the design and development process — the thinking, testing, and small design choices that make a big difference when you’re loading in at 2 a.m. or pushing a system to its limits.
Over the last few months, we’ve been developing a new subwoofer cabinet for the JAM Systems range. Drawing on our experience in cabinet design, transducer performance, and years of real-world field work, we set out to create a solid, practical design that met all the usual criteria for a portable, touring-grade multipurpose subwoofer.
1. Portability. Keeping the dimensions and weight manageable was key. A single person should be able to move a cabinet around a van without too much effort, while still having practical, real-world proportions. At 700mm in height, two subs stacked together reach 1400mm — ideal for positioning mid-high speakers so the HF is above head height, but still usable in venues with limited ceiling clearance. The 580mm width and depth also mean you can fit three cabinets across a typical panel van — a small but important detail for anyone needing to pack the max in their van. The cabinet comes with mounting points for castors on the back, for maximum portability.
2. Low frequency extension. We wanted high power and solid low-end extension, making the cabinet versatile enough for everything from EDM to live music with plenty of kick. To achieve this, we selected transducers with resonance frequencies around 30–35Hz and tuned the cabinet to 33Hz. The dimensions and port geometry were carefully optimised to get the maximum internal volume possible without making the box awkward to handle..
3. High Output. For that trouser-flapping bass, all chosen transducers handle at least 1000W RMS, packing serious power into a compact footprint. Our preferred driver for deep sub emphasis (around 30Hz) is the B&C 18TBW100, which formed the basis of the design. For a more punchy upper-bass response, the B&C 18TBX100, Beyma 18LEX1200Fe, or Fane Colossus Prime 18XS also perform exceptionally well — each bringing slightly different tonal character. The Faital Pro 18XL1600, RCF LF18X401 and Lavoce SAF184.03 form three other options, each providing a slightly different balance of grunt down at 30Hz, and punch in the 50-80Hz region.
4. Looks. For a contemporary aesthetic, we designed a custom hex-pattern grille with rear-mounted speaker foam. Cut from 2mm steel, it provides excellent protection against impact, while the foam helps repel liquids when the cabinet is upright. The cabinet finish is a tough, washable polyurea coating, giving a textured, durable surface that keeps your boxes looking smart for years.
5. Practical features. An angled, recessed connector dish keeps SpeakON plugs protected and out of harm’s way, allowing cabinets to sit flush against walls or stack tightly. Rebates in the top panel align perfectly with the PVC feet, ensuring stacked cabinets interlock securely. An M20 top-hat mount makes it easy to pole-mount mid-high speakers for smaller setups, while wide bar handles give a comfortable, secure grip.
6. Durability. Built from premium birch plywood, the cabinet is rigid, strong, and built to survive the knocks and bumps of regular touring.
7. Affordability. Our goal was to produce a premium-quality cabinet that performs like the big-name brands, but without the big-name price tag. By keeping the design efficient and cutting out unnecessary complexity, we’ve created a cabinet that delivers top-tier performance, at a realistic cost.
We’re proud of how this cabinet turned out — compact, efficient, and built to take serious punishment while still sounding clean and powerful. Whether you’re running a single sub per side for smaller gigs or building a wall of low end for outdoor events, the new JAM Systems 118 delivers the performance and practicality we’ve always aimed for.
If you’d like to dig deeper, check out the full specs, available driver options, and pricing over on the main Blue Aran website.
